I saw a huge unexplored opportunity alongside our beautiful coast. With my love for boats and key interest in the hospitality sector, both combined led to the birth of 3-year long journey building India’s first floating restaurant. The thought of curating a luxury dining restaurant on a boat was not only to boost tourism but also to make use of our exquisite waterfront.
AB Celestial is the country’s first floating restaurant located under the iconic Bandra – Worli Sea Link. We house a café, a banquet, a lounge as well as a rooftop sky bar with a multi-cuisine menu serving Indian and Asian.
Tier 1 - Celestial Cafe offers the perfect location for an evening of zen. One can drop by for a cozy cup of coffee paired with the perfect range of desserts or bring your entire family for a laid-back meal.
Tier 2 of AB Celestial, the Celestial Banquet with its gold and white decor is the ultimate setting for any kind of an event. The banquet can cater to a capacity of 150 guests for brunch, high tea, dinner, corporate events, weddings & private parties on booking. The Celestial Banquet creates a celebratory ambiance along with a delicious menu.
Level 3, Celestial Lounge offers one to transcend from the bustling city to a serene setting. An ideal place to unwind, one can find a fine selection of malts, wines with our resident DJ spinning some uplifting beats.
The Celestial VIP Deck is a full-service private dining section that caters to 2 to 10 people at a time. It is the perfect spot for intimate gatherings, proposals, and important meetings. The space comes with a private butler service.
Level 4, Celestial SKY gives the opportunity to immerse in the enthralling experience of dining under the stars.
An open-air sky bar located on Level 4 of AB Celestial, SKY offers a breath taking 360 view of the Arabian Sea and Mumbai Coastline.
2. How did you come up with this idea and go about executing it?
Being exposed to European waterfronts from an early age of 18, I noticed how they boosted tourism in other countries. A large number of people including my friends and family often travelled to cities like Goa or Cochin to experience the seaside despite Mumbai having a waterfront.
I saw a huge unexplored opportunity alongside our beautiful coast. With my love for boats and key interest in the hospitality sector, both combined led to the birth of 3-year long journey building India’s first floating restaurant. The thought of curating a luxury dining restaurant on a boat was not only to boost tourism but also to make use of our exquisite waterfront.
Piecing together every nook and corner of the 4 tier vessel. I took time out to study different boats, floating restaurants and cruises around the world along with the Indian market and hospitality industry. From sourcing interiors and designing, to recruiting all staff for operations and curating the food + beverage menu is something I’ve looked into personally at every stage during setting up and even today.
3. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
I believe that every business and field has its own set of challenges however being the first of its kind there were a number of difficulties that cropped up at each and every given stage. I personally felt the interior design was one of the biggest challenges for me.
3. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
I believe that every business and field has its own set of challenges however being the first of its kind there were a number of difficulties that cropped up at each and every given stage. I personally felt the interior design was one of the biggest challenges for me.
The way I envisioned Celestial was very different from what the interior designers I met with had to offer. With no degree in design and just a passion for fashion, I eventually decided to take up doing the interiors myself. Doing a boat is different from a residential space or restaurant on land, boat requires special fittings, labour and care.
It took me a little over 8 months to put together design, decor and fittings as I worked around the idea of a nautical theme wanting those who come aboard AB Celestial to live the experience.
We also hired a professional team not only for operations as well as the ship crew to live on the vessel 24 hours and ensure safety. The last 3 years of setting up has given me knowledge on various fields of work from hospitality to interiors.
4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
I think an entrepreneur is a visionary, one that looks at the larger picture or the final goal rather than the hurdles one has to overcome along its course of setting up your business.
I think being optimistic and having self-confidence is what drives entrepreneur to be a good team leader. A risk taker considering failure and setbacks is always the road to success. Money management is key, being able to stack your ‘funds’ is the outcome to having ‘fun’ in the future.
4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
I think an entrepreneur is a visionary, one that looks at the larger picture or the final goal rather than the hurdles one has to overcome along its course of setting up your business.
I think being optimistic and having self-confidence is what drives entrepreneur to be a good team leader. A risk taker considering failure and setbacks is always the road to success. Money management is key, being able to stack your ‘funds’ is the outcome to having ‘fun’ in the future.
The ability to network, meeting people, being your own brand as I firmly believe in the quote that your network is your net worth. Last but not the least, creativity and passion is what drives an entrepreneur. As Buddha always said, what you think, you become. What you feel, you attract and what you imagine, you create.
5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?
In order to run a successful business, I believe prioritising client relations is key. Not only does it lead to customer satisfaction but also builds brand loyalty. Focusing on strengthening relations with your staff / team members which means having effective communication with them in order to provide that quality of customer service is equally important.
5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?
In order to run a successful business, I believe prioritising client relations is key. Not only does it lead to customer satisfaction but also builds brand loyalty. Focusing on strengthening relations with your staff / team members which means having effective communication with them in order to provide that quality of customer service is equally important.
Running a successful business also means being your own brand which begins with believing in your own vision and having leadership qualities followed by powerful decision making.
6. What are your tips for the first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
I firmly believe in ‘anchoring your dreams into reality’ because if you can dream of something then you can do it no matter how long it may take. I also believe it’s all about the correct execution of your business plan which comes with the right amount of focus, effort and action. If your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough.
7. How can one overcome a hurdle of lack of funds when starting up?
Unlike the past, entrepreneurs and start ups today have various sources of income. To begin with, I feel the Internet has been a major game changer, from being able to pitch your plans on crowd funding platforms to being able to pitch your business ideas to the rest of the world at the click of a button.
6. What are your tips for the first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
I firmly believe in ‘anchoring your dreams into reality’ because if you can dream of something then you can do it no matter how long it may take. I also believe it’s all about the correct execution of your business plan which comes with the right amount of focus, effort and action. If your dreams don’t scare you they aren’t big enough.
7. How can one overcome a hurdle of lack of funds when starting up?
Unlike the past, entrepreneurs and start ups today have various sources of income. To begin with, I feel the Internet has been a major game changer, from being able to pitch your plans on crowd funding platforms to being able to pitch your business ideas to the rest of the world at the click of a button.
You can find multiple methods of funding not only via a bank or friends & family but also with the help of angel investors and venture capitalists. The options today are limitless.
- Aishwarya Bhende
Instagram @aishwaryabhende
Business Profile @abcelestialfloatel
- Interviewed by - Aakash Nair
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